'Sweetened' drinks recommended in obesity treatment

Sugar-free drinks which have had low-calorie sweeteners added to them could help in obesity treatment, according to a new study.

Undertaken by staff at the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, found that the drinks increased dietary restraint, which is one of the key factors that help people when they are trying to lose or maintain weight.

Dr Drewnowski, director at the facility, which was founded in 2002 which was founded in 2002 to combat health issues such as obesity, pointed out that it was important that people realised that it would need to be used in addition to other "tools" such as exercise and portion control.

"Low-calorie sweeteners and reduced-calorie products are not magic bullets, which means using these products will not result in automatic weight loss," he said.

The researchers involved in the study also recommended reducing fat intake and consuming fat- and sugar-modified foods as aids to maintaining weight loss.

The Center for Public Health Nutrition was founded in 2002 to combat health issues such as obesity.